Wednesday August 16, 2023
Las Anod (HOL) - A prominent Somali poet and composer, Jama Kadiye Elmi, was killed, and several others were wounded after the Somaliland army fired mortars into residential areas in Las Anod town on Wednesday afternoon.
The Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism strongly condemned the mortar attacks carried out by the Somaliland army in the disputed town of Las Anod. The ministry expressed deep condolences to the family and relatives of the late poet.
The Supreme Council of SSC-Khaatumo also denounced the recent Somaliland army attacks in Las Anod, which killed poet Jama Kadiye Elmi and the Sunday's mortar attack killed nine people, including Amir Jama Mohammad Digaale, a well-respected elder in the SSC regions.
Jama Kadiye Elmi was widely recognized as one of the greatest Somali poets of all time. Throughout his lifetime, he crafted literature resonating across various life aspects.
Born in Las Anod, Elmi initially showcased his poems on Radio Hargeisa and Radio Mogadishu as he embarked on his career. The poet gained significant fame in the 1970s during the Ethiopia-Somalia war, using his songs and verses to uplift and inspire Somali troops.
He also remained steadfast in his opposition to the presence of Somaliland in the city of Las Anod.
The conflict in Las Anod intensified following the assassination of a Dhulbahante politician in December 2022, sparking widespread protests. Somaliland security forces responded with excessive and lethal force, leading to the deaths and injuries of numerous protesters.
In the face of mounting anger and continued protests over the killings, Somaliland authorities withdrew their forces, allowing Dhulbahante clan elders to enter the city and declare their disassociation from Somaliland's administration.
However, clashes immediately erupted between Somaliland security forces and armed fighters linked to the Dhulbahante clan, resulting in a full-scale armed conflict. The violence has caused an estimated death toll of around 300 people and displaced approximately 154,000 to 203,000 civilians from their homes. The conflict has triggered international outrage and repeated calls for an immediate resolution.